U2 released their surprise EP "Easter Lily" on Good Friday, April 3.Getty Images / U2

Irish rock band U2 has released "Easter Lily," a surprise EP, just six weeks after releasing another surprise EP, "Days of Ash."

The Dublin native music legends announced their new six-song EP on April 3, Good Friday.

"Easter Lily EP arrives six weeks after Days of Ash EP, which marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday," the group said on social media on Friday.

"This is between you and us"

In a note to fans, U2 frontman Bono wrote: "We are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, 'unreasonably colourful' album to play LIVE… which is where U2 lives.

"We still look to vivid rock n roll as an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens.

"These are for sure 'wilderness years' for so many of us looking at the mayhem out there in the world."

He continued: "It's a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try meet the moment… With 'Easter Lily,' we ended up asking very personal questions like: Are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship? Can our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward? Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…? Or are there answers to find in its crevices? Are there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives?

"From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith's album 'Easter' gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. I wasn't yet 18. The title is a nod to her.

"We will attempt hoopla and fanfare at a later date to remind the rest of the world we exist, but in the meantime… this is between you and us."

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Tracklisting for U2's "Easter Lily" EP

  1. Song for Hal
  2. In a Life
  3. Scars
  4. Resurrection Song
  5. Easter Parade
  6. COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?)

U2 said that while their 'Days of Ash' EP was "a response to chaotic times in the outside world," the 'Easter Lily' EP is a "more reflective set of songs emerging from a more personal, private place that some may retreat to in such times – exploring themes of friendship, loss, hope, and ultimately, renewal."

The group offered a brief description of each of their six new songs:

"Song for Hal" is a COVID-19 lockdown lament, with The Edge on lead vocals, written for the band's friend, the music-maker, Hal Willner, who would have turned 70 on Easter Monday and passed away almost 6 years ago to the day.

"In a Life" is a song celebrating friendship. 'Scars' is a song of encouragement and acceptance; scars and all, with a twist.

"Resurrection Song" is about pilgrimage, a road trip into the unknown with a lover or friend.

"Easter Parade" is a devotional song, a celebration of new life, rebirth and resurrection.

"COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?)" is a lullaby for parents of children caught up in war, featuring a soundscape by Brian Eno.

You can listen to U2's EP "Easter Lily" here via Spotify, while a playlist of lyric videos is available here via YouTube.

U2 e-zine Propaganda

Additionally, U2's new "Easter Lily" EP is accompanied by a special digital e-zine edition of "Propaganda," titled "U2 - Propaganda - Easter Lily."

This edition features contributions from all four band members, including sleeve notes from The Edge; Adam Clayton on art and the journey of recovery; a conversation between Bono and Franciscan friar Richard Rohr; and in-the-studio photographs shot by Larry Mullen Jr. 

The e-zine also features song lyrics along with an interview with the band's producer, Jacknife Lee, and a piece on Hal Willner by his friend Gavin Friday.

The band said: "40 years ago, in February 1986, the first issue of 'Propaganda' dropped through the letterboxes of U2 fans around the world.

"Aspiring to match other fan magazines at that time, 'Propaganda' was born out of the punk-era D.I.Y. zine culture that embraced attitude, ideas, and dialogue."